Rail flaw detector car



Aug. 13, 1935.

w. M. PERRY RAIL FLAW DETECTOR CAR Filed April 16, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Imventor (Ittorneg Aug. 13, 1935. w PERR Y 2,011,416

RAIL FLAW DETECTOR CAR Filed April 16, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 -||l|1| .L 51 I 52 52' 55 .50 r P .P 17

s V I g V g I l'nwentor desired to test closer to or further from the rail Patented Aug. 13, 1935 PATENT OFFICE Y RAIL FLAW DETECTOR CAR Walter M. Perry, Brooklyng N. Y., assignor to v Sperry Products, 1110., Brooklyn, N. Y a corporation of New York Application April 16, 1934, Serial No. 720,821

rroi ims. (o 1ss) Y Y a Further objects and advantages of this inven- This invention relates to rail flaw detector cars and particularly to the Sperry rail flaw detector car. The construction of thelatter car is now well known and consists of a generator which supplies current to the rail between spaced points to establish an electromagnetic field surrounding the rail. This field will be uniform, except in the region of a flaw where it will be distorted. Such variations in the electromagnetic field ar e detected by means comprisinga pair of induction coils arranged in tandem along the rail and'oppositely connected. These coils are supported at a constant distance above the rail so that normally they cut a constant number of lines of force, 50' that normally no E. lVl. F. is induced therein.

Upon entering a region of flaw, however, first one coil and then the other coil will :cut'a diiferent number of lines of force to generate a differential E. M. F. Said E. M. F. may be amplified and caused to operate any suitable indicator, such as arecordcr. I

It will be understood that at each rail joint, the electro-magnetic field is distorted by reason of the rail joint construction and such distortion would be picked up by the detector mechanism in the same manner as a flaw. Inorder-to avoid picking up the rail joint by the detector mechanism, the Sperry railflaw'detector car employs a pair of joint cut-out fingers in advance and to the rear of the detector mechanism so that while said fingers engage the joint, the flaw indicating mechanism is rendered inefiective.

There are various occasions when it is desired to vary the time that elapses between the engagement of the joint cut-out finger with the joint bar and the time that the flaw indicating mechanism is rendered ineffective Thus, for instance, certain joint bars have different shapes from certain other joint bars, which cause the joint cut 1 out finger to engage and leave said bars sooner or later than would otherwise be the case. Unless some provision were made to take care of such a situation, the indicating mechanism would be cut out or let in at greater or lesser distances'from the joint bar than it would normally. Similarly, there are times when the cutting out of the indicating means should be accelerated or delayed for some reason such as the different method of connecting the bond wires to the rails, higher or lower speeds of the car than normal, or because it is joint. I v

It is, therefore, the principal object of my in vention to provide means whereby the time that elapses between the engagement of the joint finger with the joint bar and the rendering of the indicating means ineffective, as well as the time that elapses between disengagement of the joint finger with the joint bar and the rendering of theindi- 1' eating means effective may be varied at will.

tailed description thereof. I

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. l is a side elevation showing a portion of a Sperry rail flaw. detector car to which my invention is adapted to be applied.

Fig.2 is a View consisting mainly of a wiring diagram illustrating one form of my invention.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 disclosing another form of my invention. 5

,Fig. 4 is a view similar to Figures 2 and '3 disclosing still another form of my invention.

Referring to Figure 1 of the diagrams, I-have showna portion of the car body In of a Sperry rail flaw'detector car. Within said body there'is mounted a generator. G for supplying current to therail R by way of current brushes II. and I2 I brush carriage 11 on which are supported the currentbrushes II and I2, said current brush carriage being supported on the rail by means such as flanged wheels I8. .The said carriages are normally held in elevatedposition by means of springs '.(not shown) and cables I8. When it is desired to lower said carriages to effective position in engagement with the rail, fluidpressure is supplied to cylinders I9 to depress pistons. which are connected to said carriage IT. AS the car moves along the rails, the coils l3 will'each cut a constant number of lines of force so long as no flaws are'present. Variations in the supply of current from generator G which would normally tend to vary the flux-have no effect on the coils I 3 which are of equal inductance and oppositely wound; When, however, a region of flaw is encountered, first one and then the other of said coils will cut a different number of lines of force: to generate a differential E. M. 'F. Said F. may be amplified by anamplifier A the output of which may energize either one or both of relays 30 and 30 which are of different strengths, depending upon the strength of the outputgto close sets of contacts 3| and 3!, which controlthe circuits through pen relays 32 and 32 to operate pens P and P' which may be in engageline on said chart, and only when the circuit 'therethrough is-open will the pen J be released by magnet 33 to causeajog to be made in the line.

The pen isadapted' to be released'when a rail jointis encountered. For this purpose the Sperry rail flaw detector car is provided with a joint. finger 43 in advance of thedetector coils l'3' and in engagement with'the gauge side of the rail 1 so as a joint is approached said finger 40 will ngage the joint bar of the joint and willrender the circuits through 32 and 32"'inoperative-so that said-pens P and P cannotbe accentuated and will break the circuit through joint pen re:

lay 33 to release joint pen J so that said pen will indicate onthe chart the presence of a joint. For-this purpose itwillbeseen'thatithe circuit through;saidlfrelays"32,332 and 33lies through through magnet.33..

5D, and this permits spring 52 to break contacts 35'and render" the circuit. through pen magnets 32 and 3'2' 'inoperatiVe. and to breakthe circuit.

Ordinari'ly'the' actionof joint cut-out finger 40 upon the said circuits would be instantaneous. In

order,.however, to introduce a. control. and time:

lagbetween. the opening of contacts 5! and P rendering the magnets 32, 32 and 33 inoperative, 5;":

eluding a conductor53 and variable resistance.

I provide in the circuitof' relay 50 a by-pass'in- 54;. There is. thus formed an inductive circuit so' that when the contacts 5| are open; relay 50 remains more .or less energized by reasonof the inductance in the said inductivecircuit so that contacts '35. aredelayed in opening; The degree of suchidelay may be determined by the amount ofiresistance 54 included in said inductive cirleft. the same:

cuit.v Thus by adjusting said resistance, the operator can vary the amount of lag between the time that contacts 5| are opened and the'time that contacts 35ers opened.

A second'joint. cut-out finger 4:0 is provided totherear oi de'tectorcoils'l3, said second cutout fingerbeing positionedso asto engage the joint barbefcre the first cut-out finger 4'0 has n The purpose of this construction is'ltopreventr'endejring-magnets 32332. and 33' effective again before the detector coils l3'have .passed' beyondthe joint bar; In this case the second joint cut-out finger 40 is designed to close a. set of: contacts 5|? to close :the circuit through may; be desired to'introduce a' certain time lag the relay 5!)- and open contacts 36 whichare in series with contacts-35,..against the action of a When the :second finger 40' has spring 52. passed beyond; .the tj'oint bar, .itis certain that the detector coils l3 have passed beyond said joint bar and therefore contactsjils" arepermitted. to

p open by reason of finger 40. leaving the joint bar,

5-2 to-close contacts 36. Contacts 35 having previously been closed by reason of finger 40 having" and-thisdeenergizes'magnet 50' to permit spring previously left the joint' bar, thecircuits through 32,. .32" and 33 would ordinarily; be again rendered.

efifective. However, as. previously described,fit.

' between the; time'that n contacts 5|" vare "opened and the time that the circuits through mag.

nets 32, .32" and 33 are; rendered; effective. For

:thispurpose I placein circuit with magnet 50 a lead 53 and variable resistance 54, forming an inductive circuit so that when contacts 5| open. magnet 50 is not immediately deenergiz ed because of the induction in the inductance circuit comprising magnet 50, lead 53'and variable resistance 54'. The amountof inductance remaining in said circuit and hence the time lag that is introduced will depend upon the amount of resistance 54' in saidinductive circuit. Thus the operator by adjusting the resistance 54 can vary the lag betweenthe opening of contacts 5!" and the closing of contacts 36'.

In Figure 3,, I have disclosed a modified form V of my invention. All of the parts bearing the same numerals as in Figure 2 represent the same de vices. the'circuits through pen magnets 32 and 32" and joint magnet 33. In. order to obtaina controlled delay of opening of contacts 35 and 36, the .fol-.

lowing device isemployed. Joint finger 4-0 carries one contact of a set of contacts 64 which are normally open but are, designed to be closed when said jointfinger engages the joint bar at a joint.

Closing of contact G l-serves to engage tworelays l3 and H, which together control the breaking of contacts 35. Both said relays Ill and H act upon a; common armature 12 against the action of spring I 5.2 whichjjnornrally holds contacts 35 I closed. Relay 1| isa slow acting relay by reason of the copper winding 13 surrounding the same near the armature end and forming an in.-

ductance; which opposes building up ofthe cur-.

It would thus ordinarily take magnet H a, definite time to open contacts. 35.

rent in 'coil. H;

Inorder to vary this time, the additional magnet I0 is provided. Said magnet is ',of the type "in Sets of contacts and- 36 again control which. the full current-builds up almost-instantly but the pull of said magnet is insufficient in and,

of itselito attract armature l2 and open contacts 35. hence the pull inmagnet 'H isdependent upon the interval of time it: willbe seen that the time Since the buildinggup of the current and necessary toattract'armature I2 is shortened to.

the extent of the pull exerted bymagnet 10. Therefore, by varying the current through mags net 10, the time delay inopening contacts 35 may be varied. For this purpose I haveprovided in the circuit of magnet 10 a variable rheostat 15. Before finger, 40-, has left the joint bar, finger 4.0 has engaged the same-to close a set of contacts 6.] and energize a similar pair of magnets 18, and l l arranged in, paralleland co-acting. withthe armature t4: carrying one contact of the set of contacts 36. The magnet "'H' by reason of having the copper windingi13. at the. binding-post end thereof is of the type that-energizes rapidly and deenergizes. slowly. Thus when finger 40'.

has left the joint bar; and contacts 5|" ha.V

opened, magnet 10 will deenergize quickly but magnet 11-" will deenergize' slowly and thus intro-.

duce a time lag into the relays of armature I4 and closing. of: contacts 36. to. render magnets; 32. and; 3:3 eiTecti-vee I The said lag may be varied y means'otrheostat. 1:5! in theicircuit'of magnet- I In- Fig. 4' I have shown still another ,form of'my invention; In this form of my invention thecontacts 9| and: 9.1 are both normally open-and are connected in parallel to a relay. coil supplied with current from a battery 81. I Said coil will beenergized immediately upon contacts 91. closing,- to cause.- an armature 82 tobe attracted and; break contacts 83 tode-energize a coil 85. Said coil normally holds contacts 3.6 closed to energize the coi1.,33' actuate. joint. pent J.. The con.-

p out by other means.

having means for energizing .the rail, flaw-re-- tacts; 86 are also in the, circuitof. the flaw pens 32 and 32' to render said circuit normally effective so that said. relays may be energized when contacts 3| and 3| are closed. The coil 85 is not immediately de-energized when contacts 83 open by reason of the inductance by-pathestablished by the resistance 8f, so that the current can keep flowing in this inductance circuit for a predetermined interval of time after contacts 83 have opened, said interval of time depending upon the adjustment of resistance 87. .Therefore, a predetermined time lag in the opening of contacts.

cuit established by variable resistance 89, so that the. current flows in said inductive circuit for a predetermined interval of time after contacts 9| have been opened, said interval of time depending upon the adjustment of resistance 89. Therefore, a predetermined time lag may be introduced by adjustment of resistance 89 between the disengagement of joint finger 49' with the joint bar and the rendering of pen coils 32, 32' again effective. In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have herein described the principle and operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention can be carried Also, while it is designed to use the various features and elements in the combination and relations described, some of these may be altered and others omitted without interfering with the more general resultsoutlined, and the invention extends to such use.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination of a rail flaw detector car having means for energizing the rail, flaw-responsive means for detecting variations in energization of said rail caused by flaws, an indicator adapted to be actuated by said responsive means, means adapted to cooperate with the rail joints and means adapted to be rendered effective by said cooperative means when the'latter is in cooperative relation to a rail joint for rendering said indicator ineffective, with means for delaying the action of said means for rendering said indicator ineffective.

, 2. The combination of a rail flaw detector car having means for energizing the rail, flaw-responsive means for detecting variations in energization of said rail caused by flaws, an indicator adapted to be actuated bysaid responsive means, means adapted to cooperate with the rail joints and means adapted to be rendered effective by said cooperative means when the latter is in cooperative relation to a rail joint for rendering saidindicator ineffective, with means also adapted to'be rendered effective by said cooperating means when in cooperative relation to a rail joint for delaying the action of said means for rendering said indicator ineffective.

3-. The combinationof a rail flaw detector car sponsive means for detecting variations in energization of said rail caused byflaws, an indicator. adapted to be actuated by said responsive means, means adaptedto cooperate with the rail joints and means adapted to be rendered effective by said cooperating means when the latter reaches a rail joint forrendering said indicator ineffective, with means for delaying the action of said means for rendering said indicator ineffective, means adapted to be rendered effective by said cooperating means when the latter has passed a rail joint for rendering said indicator effective,

and means'for delaying the action of said meansfor rendering .saidiindicator effective. 1

4. The combination of a rail fiawdetector car having means for energizing the rail, flaw-responsive means for detecting variations in energization of said rail caused by flaws, an indicator adapted to be actuated by said responsive means, means adapted to cooperate with the rail joints and means adapted to be rendered effective by.

said cooperating means when the latter reaches a rail joint for rendering said indicator ineffective, with means also adapted to be rendered effective by said cooperating means when the latter reaches a rail joint for delaying the action of said means for rendering said indicator ineffective, means adapted to be renderedeffective by said cooperating means when the latter has passed a rail joint for rendering said indicator effective, and means also adapted to be rendered effective by said cooperating means when the latter has passed a rail joint for delaying the action of said means for rendering said indicator effective. l

5. In a rail flaw detector car having means for energizing the rail, flaw responsive means for detecting variations in energization of said rail caused by flaws, an indicator adapted to be actuated by said responsive means, and means adapted to cooperate with the rail joints, means adapted to be rendered effective by said cooperating means when in cooperativerelation to a rail joint for rendering said indicator ineffective, said last-named means including delayed action means.

6. In a rail flaw detector car having means forv energizing the rail, flaw responsive means for detecting variations in energization of said rail caused by flaws, an indicator adapted to be actuated by said responsive means, and means adapted to cooperate with the rail joints, means adapted to be rendered effective by said cooperating means when the latter reachesa rail joint for rendering said indicator ineffective, said preceding means including delayed action means.

'7. In a rail flaw detector car having means for energizing the rail, flaw responsive means for detecting variations inenergization of said rail caused by flaws, an indicator adapted to be actuated by said responsive means, and means adapted to cooperate with the rail joints, means adapted to be renderedeffective by said cooperating means when the latter reaches a rail joint for rendering said indicator ineffective and means adapted to be rendered effective by said cooperat- 40 l cooperating means has passedover a rail joint for caused by flaws, indicator adapted to be actuatediby said responsive means and means adapted 't'o cooperate with the rail joints','means including anfelectric circuit for rendering said indicator ineffective, an inductive circuit; in parallel with said first circuit for delaying the action thereof, and means. whereby said cooperating energizing the rail, flaw-responsive means for including' an: electric circuit for-rendering said means when in cooperative relation to a railjo'int controls said circuits for rendering said indicator ineffective. 7 9. In a rail flaw detector car having means for energizing the 'rail, flaw-responsive means for detecting variationsin energization of saidv rail caused by flaws, an indicator adapted to be actuated by said responsive means and means adapted to cooperate with the rail joints, means including an electriclcircuit for rendering said indicator ineffective, an inductive circuit in parallelwith said first circuit for delaying the action thereof, means wherebysaid cooperating means when in cooperative relation to a rail joint controls said circuits for rendering said indicator ineffective, and means for varying the inductance of said inductivec'ircuit.

v 10'. In a rail flaw detector car having means for detecting variations in energization of said rail caused by flaws, an indicator adapted to be ac tuated by said responsive means and .means adapted .to cooperate with the rail joints, means indicator ineffective, an inductive circuit in par-- allel with said first circuit fordelaying action thereof, means whereby said cooperating means upon reaching a railjoint controls said circuits for rendering said indicator ineffective, a second' electric circuit for rendering said-indicator effective, a second inductive circuit for delaying the;

action thereof, and means whereby said cooperatingmeans controls said second circuit when said rendering said findicator effective; l

11. In a rail flaw detector car having means for energizing the rail, flaw-responsive means for detecting variations in" energization' of said rail caused by flaws, an indicator adapted to be actuated by said responsive means and means.

adapted; to cooperate with the rail joints, means including an electric circuit for rendering said indicator ineffective, an inductive circuit imparallel with said first circuit for delaying action thereof, means whereby said cooperating. means upon reacninga rail joint controls said circuits for rendering said indicator ineffective, a second electric circuitfor rendering said indicator effecaction thereof, means whereby said cooperating means controls said second circuit when said cooperating means has passed over, arail-joint for rendering said indicator effective; v and- :mea-nsfor, varying the inductances of said circuits 7 12;.In a rail fiaw detector car havingmeans for energizing the rail, flaw-responsive means for-detecting variations energi-zation of said rail caused by flaws, an indicator adapted tobe actuated by said responsive means and means.-

1 adapted to cooperatewith thev railjoints, means including an electric'circuit for rendering said.

indicator ineffective, and means whereby said '1 cooperating means when 7 in cooperative relation to a rail joint controls said circuitforrendering said'indicator ineffective, said last-named means including a delayed! action relay;

1 13. In: a rail-.fiaw detector can havingmeans ma enerai msth ra ia ewrr ensiv mansi n detecting? variations in energization of said" rail caused by flaws, an indicator. adapted to be etc-' tuated by said responsive means and means adapted to cooperate with the rail joints, means including. an electric circuit for rendering said indicator ineifective, and means whereby said cooperating means when in cooperative relation.

to a rail jointcontrols said circuit for rendering.

said indicator ineffective, said last named means including a two-part relay comprising a quick acting coil and a delayed action coil..

14. In a rail flaw detector car having means for energizing the rail, flaw-responsive means fordetecting. variations in energiza'tion ofns'aid rail-caused by flaws, an indicator adaptedeto be; actuated by said responsive meansand'means' adapted to cooperate with the'r'ail joints, means including an electric circuitfor renderingsaid indicator ineffective,-means including an electric circuit for rendering said indicator effective, and,

- means whereby saidcooperatingmeans controls said circuits when reaching and passing beyond a rail joint, respectively, said last-named means including a delayed action relay in each circuit:

15. In a rail flaw detector car having means for energizing the rail, flaw-responsivemeans for detecting variations in energization of saidrail, caused by flaws, an indicator adapted to beactuated by said responsive means and means adapted to cooperate with the rail joints,.,means including an electric circuit for renderin'gwsaidl indicator ineffective, means including an electric circuit for rendering said indicator effective, and means whereby said cooperating means controls saidcircuits when reaching and passing beyond; a rail joint, respectively, said last-namedmeans including atwo-part relay in each circuit, each relay comprising a quick acting coil andpa delayed action coil. r

16'. In a rail flaw detector car having means for o energizing the rail, flaw-responsive means for detecting variations in energizationof said rail caused by flaws, an indicator adapted to; be ac tuated; by said responsive means and means adaptedto cooperate with the rail joints, an electrio circuit adapted tobe rendered eifective'by said cooperative means when the" latter is in cooperative relation to a rail joint; a second electric circuit adapted to be rendered ineffective when said first circuit is rendered effective; means whereby said indicator is rendered efiectiveand ineffective when said second'circuit is rendered eiiective-and ineffective, and meansgfor delaying. rendering said second circuit ineffective, 2

l7. Inaraii flaw'ldetector car having'me'ans for energizing the rail, flaw-responsive means ford'etecting variations in; energization'oi' said" rail caused by 'fiawsfan indicatoradaptedf to be actuated: by said responsive means andme'ans adapted to-cooperate with the' rail jeiritsj' electric circuit adapted to be rendered effective by said cooperative me ans when; the latter is in cooperative relation to arail joint, asecond'jel'ec tric' circuit adapted to be rendered" ir-i'ei'fee;ti ve 'v when said first circuit is rendered efi -ective, means whereby said indicator is renderedeffective-and ineffective when said'second circuit is-renderedeffective and ineffective; means for delaying 'ren I dering" said second circuit ineffective; said'fi'rst circuit being adapted to be rendered ineffective whensaid cooperative means haspassed a rail joint, and'mean's .for delaying rendering said first circuit ineffective? in v I 1 M-P R Y==. 

